Single nucleotide polymorphisms

Aim: Understanding the phylogeography of a species complex can provide
important insights into its evolutionary history. However, phylogeographic
inference often faces the dilemma of regionally inadequate sampling.
Pungitius sticklebacks are a case in point: although the highest species
diversity is found in Northeast Asia, their phylogeography in this region
is still poorly understood. Location: Northeast Asia Methods: With the aid
of whole genome resequencing data, we investigated the phylogeography of
Northeast Asian Pungitius sticklebacks, with newly sampled 83 world-wide
Pungitius individuals from 11 locations including eight Chinese locations
reported to host only P. sinensis. Results: We discovered that three of
these locations hosted populations of P. kaibarae and P. bussei, species
new to the fauna of China. Phylogeographic analyses further clarified the
sequence and timing of colonization of Northeast Asia by different
Pungitius species, shedding new light on their origins and current
distribution ranges. Colonization of inland Northeast Asia by Pungitius
sticklebacks occurred in multiple waves, and the widespread P. sinensis
expanded its range relatively late in the Pleistocene. Main Conclusions:
This study complements our understanding of the phylogeography of
Pungitius sticklebacks by extending sampling to cover an area that
comprises nearly half of the known distribution area of this genus in
Northeast Asia. The discovery of three Pungitus species from China is of
particular interest, as translocations to support locally declining
populations have occurred under the assumption that all sticklebacks in
China – except the endangered P. stenurus – are P. sinensis, and draws
attention to local introduction for their conservation.